ike an ecstatic divorcee leaving all their cares behind, the local I’d been running dropped everything at Zanesville, a string of empty corn syrup and paint tankers and a couple of boxcars, sans auto parts, and was now rattling along the river valley at track speed; two geeps, a T&P boxcar (with mine equipment) and a jolly green Penn Central caboose. We’re making the run up the valley to Carbon Hill in record time. Everything gone sharp with all the spottings and a run on coal has left Champion Mine clear for us to work in. It’s shaping up to be a great day.
And even better, with the miracle of folding mainlines, I can watch the action as two opposing Silver Bullets pass on time at Harris Glen, easing past each other and calling on that dinky clapboard station. It’s a sight so cool (four trains operating on the same peninsula, because a freight is waiting around the corner at Carbon) that a number of club members come over to railfan.
The club is running spectacularly tonight. The problems are minor, the noise low, everyone focused on their tasks. My waits are minimal, Cody hot on the DS panel and young Shaun is at maximum thruput in the yard. The cooperative game of railroading in at a fever pitch.
Tonight we ran everything – every passenger train, every freight, four coal movements. The Harris Local finished at 4:30am, something like a record. And for me, personally, running Zanesville was one of the sweetest sessions I ever had. It just worked. I had a great time.
So kudos to everyone who came out. This is how Orlando N-Trak runs its high iron – just like we host our shows. Professional and enjoyable.
Good work, guys!
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p.s. I’m going to try to turn on comments, which I’ll leave running until the trolls find us. Let me know what you think.